Hose protector



H. M. YOST HOSE PROTECTOR Dec. 27, 1932.

Filed Jan 2. 1930 Patented Dec. 27, 1932 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICEHOSE PROTECTOR Application filed January 2, 1939.

Serial No. 418,141.

(GRANTED UNDER THE ACT OF MARCH 3, 1883, AS AMENDED APRIL 30, 1928; 3700. G. 757) The invention described herein if patented, may bemanufactured and used by or for the Government for governmental purposeswithout payment of any royalty thereon.

This invention relates to improvements in hose protectors and morespecifically to ashield of appropriate material to be inserted in theshoe in such a manner as to prevent contact between the brush orpolishing rag and the stocking of the wearer.

The objects of this invention are to provide a simple, durable, andinexpensive device of the class described that may be quickly insertedin place prior to polishing the shoes and is then readily removedtherefrom after same is completed and one whereby the entire stockingwill be fully protected.

A further object in view is to provide a device that may be produced ina single operation by stamping out the device from sheet material in awell-known manner.

Slight changes in form and minor details of construction may be resortedto without departing from the spirit of the invention. Similar numeralsindicate corresponding parts in all the figures of the drawing in whichFig. 1 is a perspective view with the improved hose protector shown inplace within the shoe.

Fig. 2 shows views of the members of the device in elevation removedfrom the shoe.

Fig. 3 is an edge view, one member of the device showing in dotted linesthe position of the lower end of same when inserted in the shoe.

Reference now being had to the drawing by numerals, 1 and 2 indicateshield members of duplicate construction made preferably of 40 flexiblematerial such as a heavy oil cloth,

semi-rigid rubber or the like, of a length sufficient to extend aroundone-half of the lower ankle of the wearer.

Said shield members are preferably provided with a slight downward curve3 at the upper edge to facilitate their fitting snugly about the ankle.The upper corners are rounded as seen at 4. The front and rear edges areslightly deflected as shown at 5 to 50 provide greater width at thelower portion of the member to facilitate a better fit of the deviceabout the instep and heel of the wearer. The lower forwardand rearportions of the shield are provided with a long sweeping curve tofacilitate the insertion of the device between the foot of the wearerand the shoe.

By reference to the drawing it will be noted that a curve extension orlobe 7 is provided at'the lower central portion of the shield, its edgebeing gradually rounded and adapted to be forced down between thestocking and the shoe and project on a curved line beneath a portion ofthe foot in such a manner as to firmly hold the device and prevent itsmovement when the friction of the rag or brush is applied to the uppereldge of the shoe in the act of polishing the s me.

By reference to the drawing and more particularly to Fig. 1, it will beseen that the shield consists of two corresponding halves, adapted to beinserted on opposite sides of the foot, between the foot and the shoe bypressing same down by its upper edge. As said members are forced downwithin the shoe, they assume the configuration of their relative side ofthe foot and when projections 7 at the lower edges of the members comein contact with the inwardly curving portions of the sides of the shoe,the shield at its lower projecting portion will be forced beneath thefoot in the position shown in dotted lines in Fig. 3. In the positiondescribed wherein the lower projecting tongue or extension 7 is forcedinto a somewhat horizontal position, the upper edges of the shieldsresting approximately one inch above the upper edge of the shoe, aresnugly in contact with the ankle of the wearer throughout and abut attheir ends against each other. In said position there is provided acomplete cuff or inclosure of the wearers stockings the members beingheld firmly against any rotary movement on the ankle by their abuttingends and by the lower extensions which are firmly anchored beneath thefoot, in which position vigorous rubbing along the upper edge of theshoe with a brush with part of the bristles overlapping and in directcontact with the shield, or by the use of a polishing rag with a portionthereof in direct contact with the shield, there will be no disturbanceof the shield, and a shine be applied to the top of a shoe withoutdamage to the stocking of the wearer.

When the operation of polishing the shoe is complete the shield membersmay be quickly removed, will assume a flat position,

will occupy a very limited space and may be added to ones travelingequipment without inconvenience.

Having thus described my invention what I desire to secure and claim byLetters Patent As a new article of manufacture, a blacking-guard forstockings consisting of two separate pieces of flexible material ofidentical size and shape adapted to be inserted within the upper edge ofthe shoe on opposite sides of the ankle of the user and extend up theleg above the top of the shoe each having lower centrally arrangedextensions adapted to be forced partly beneath the foot to retain saidpieces against accidental vertical and longitudinal movement whilepolishing the shoe.

HOWARD M. YOST.

